Best Military Moving Companies

4 best companies for military moves

After sorting through multitudes of customer reviews, services, pricing transparency and military-relevant features, we’ve selected these four companies:

1. International Van Lines: Best overall
2. PODS: Best customer service
3. Interstate Moving & Relocation Group: Best packing services
4. Colonial Van Lines: Best for temporary storage

Compare top movers for military moves

Use this table to compare quotes and find the right mover for your PCS.

Moving companies for military moves: a guide

Military moves come with their own set of constraints that you won’t get with civilian moves. PCS orders, frequent relocations and limited control over your assigned moves can all have an impact on how your move goes.

This guide explains how military moves work and helps you compare movers with confidence, so you’re more prepared to handle anything from a government-managed move to hiring a private company for a Personally Procured Move (PPM).

How military moves work

Military relocations typically fall under two umbrellas: government-managed moves or PPMs.

Government-managed moves (HHG via DPS)

HHG shipments will go through the Defense Personal Property System (DPS). The government will assign you a moving company, schedule the move and pay the mover directly.

Personally Procured Moves (PPM)

A PPM (formerly DITY move) allows service members to hire their own movers or move themselves. Reimbursement is based on the estimated cost the government would have paid to move the same weight and distance.

How much does a military move cost?

There is no cost for government-managed moves since the military pays for them directly. PPM reimbursements are calculated based on weight and mileage allowances, which you can find through the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) and Military OneSource.

According to our research, average moving costs are $2,000 to $8,000. The exact amount will depend on your distance and the services you need.

What to know about PPM reimbursements

For PPMs, out-of-pocket costs can include packing materials, insurance upgrades and temporary storage, all of which should be confirmed beforehand.

To receive reimbursement, service members must submit certified weight tickets, receipts and other required documentation. Expenses outside authorized allowances may not be reimbursed.

How to choose a PCS-friendly mover

Choosing the right mover in this situation is crucial because you may be dealing with countries that have strict import rules or limited delivery access.

1. Verify credentials

Make sure to confirm that your mover of choice has an active U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number and is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This helps protect you from unlicensed or fraudulent operators.

2. Understand PCS timelines

Ask whether the mover has experience working with PCS reporting windows and peak moving seasons. Capacity is tighter, and delays are more common during these times. You don’t want to end up dealing with inflexible or overwhelmed movers.

3. Compare pricing and reimbursement compatibility

Make sure the estimate clearly breaks down costs in a way that aligns with PPM reimbursement rules. This includes weight-based pricing and eligible expenses. Here’s how to get the best quote:

• Confirm how weight and volume will be estimated
• Keep all of your receipts, weight tickets, signed inventories and documents. Without proper documentation, you may not be reimbursed.
• Watch for red flags like vague pricing or large deposits

4. Review military-specific feedback

Look beyond just star ratings and focus on moving company reviews that mention PCS moves, military families or reimbursement experiences. These reviews will tell you more about how well a mover communicates and meets deadlines.

5. Confirm claims and insurance policies

Finally, ask what type of insurance coverage you’ll get and whether the mover recommends additional insurance for your high-value items. You should also figure out in advance how long you have to make a claim, what documentation you need and how the company resolves disputes.

Questions to ask your movers

It’s important to hire movers you feel good about, who can answer your questions and who don’t raise any red flags.

• Do you have experience with PCS or military moves?
• How do you handle claims and insurance?
• What services are included in this estimate?

Types of military moving services

Not all military families move in the same way. The right moving service for you will depend on your PCS timelines, budget and level of control you want. This matters whether you’re moving within the U.S. or overseas. These are the various types of military moving services you’ll encounter.

Full-service military movers

Full-service military movers handle nearly every phase of a relocation. This includes packing, loading, transportation, unloading and sometimes unpacking. You’re most likely to use this option for government-managed HHG moves. But it’s also available for full PPMs when you don’t want to be involved much.

Partial PPM movers

Partial PPM movers support a hybrid approach, where the government moves some items, and you manage the rest. It could be, for example, a case of the military transporting your household goods while you move your high-value items yourself, like your vehicles or essential belongings. This option is common for families who want more control but don’t want a full DIY move.

Long-distance and cross-country movers

Long-distance and cross-country movers specialize in relocations over several hundred miles. They’re the most common choice for Permanent Change of Station (PCS) within the Continental United States (CONUS) moves.

The best long-distance companies can manage your multi-day transportation, linehaul logistics and delivery windows tied to your reporting dates. Families choosing this option can also usually get package deals that include packing and storage-in-transit.

International military movers

International military movers handle OCONUS assignments. This includes overseas shipping, customs clearance and destination coordination. These moves often involve complex documentation, multiple carriers and longer transit times.

FAQ

Methodology: How we found the best moving companies for military moves

We evaluated 15 popular moving companies to find the most reliable options for military relocations. Our approach focused on what matters most: customer experience and transparent pricing.

Every company received a score based on verified customer reviews, service offerings and our hands-on quote experience. Here is what we measured.

1. Customer satisfaction

Our ratings are built on review data from Sept. 1, 2022, to Aug. 31, 2025. We focused on seven satisfaction factors that consistently predict a smooth move:

• Overall mover satisfaction
• Customer service
• Punctuality
• Packing quality
• Price satisfaction
• Quote accuracy
• Damage claims and outcomes

2. Services that matter for military moves

Not all movers offer the same services, so we also scored each company on:

• Storage options
• Packing services
• Discount availability
• Quote process
• Types of moves
• Website quality and how easy it is to find key information

3. Real quotes

For every company, we collected a quote for a move from Chicago to Kansas City and evaluated:

• The actual price
• How easy the quote process was
• Whether the estimate felt clear and accurate